Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao are all bidding to reach the knockout stages of World Cup 2026 as Group E reaches its climax. Germany, the four-time champions, are through to the knockout stages for the first time since their 2014 victory, having beaten Ivory Coast late on to seal their place as group winners.
It means it’s all to play for between the other three teams. Germany will play Ecuador in New Jersey, with the South Americans needing to win to advance. The same scenario applies to tiny Curacao, who are bidding to become the smallest country to reach the World Cup knockout stages after earning a famous point against Ecuador.
With Ivory Coast needing to avoid defeat to guarantee their place in the next round, one interested nation will be Scotland: after a humbling 3-0 loss last night to Brazil, the Tartan Army require a combination of results to go their way. In Group E, Scotland desperately need just one of Germany and Ivory Coast to avoid defeat.
Follow the conclusion to Group E with our live blog below:
Germany 1-1 Ecuador
60 mins: Kai Havertz and Joshua Kimmich make way as Germany’s “finisher” Deniz Undav and Malick Thiaw enter the fray.
Germany 1-1 Ecuador
58 mins: Long ball is sent towards Havertz but Pacho shields the Arsenal man as it bounces through to Galindez.
The tempo’s slowed down over the past few minutes. Maybe it’s why Nagelsmann has told Undav, whose three goals this tournament wasn’t enough to start today, to get stripped.
Curacao 0-1 Ivory Coast
56 mins: Now it’s a good effort from Curacao!
Left-back Floranus lets go from the edge of the Ivory Coast box; his shot looks to be always rising, but it only just clears the bar in the end!
They’re suddenly knocking, are Curacao.
Germany 1-1 Ecuador
54 mins: Ecuador burst forward at pace but Valencia decides to do the complete opposite and put the brakes on. Ecuador fans are livid at their veteran striker.
They do eventually get to the Germany box and cause a bit of panic with the cutback, but can only win a corner.
It’s whipped to the back post and headed into the side netting.
Curacao 0-1 Ivory Coast
53 mins: It’s largely risk-free football from Ivory Coast at the moment, holding possession with relative ease.
That said, Kessie has a decent go now, with his deflected shot going narrowly wide! Ivory Coast corner to follow…
But it’s dealt with.
Germany 1-1 Ecuador
50 mins: Franco goes into the book for Ecuador after kicking the ball onto the pitch so Germany couldn’t take a quick throw.
NO PENALTY! Germany 1-1 Ecuador
48 mins: It’s overturned, and joy for the Ecuador fans!
Vite is tripped up by Sane in the build-up and the spot-kick is chalked off. Instead, we have an Ecuador free-kick on halfway.
PENALTY! Germany 1-1 Ecuador
46 mins: Another LIGHTNING-QUICK start by Germany!
It’s a clumsy challenge by Ordonez on Havertz, who comes in from behind and brings down the Arsenal forward!
Ecuador are once again fuming – this time with the decision not to give a foul against them in the build-up.
And… a VAR check is being advised.
BACK UNDERWAY! Curacao 0-1 Ivory Coast
And the action resumes in Philadelphia.
One change: Ivory Coast take off Amad Diallo and bring on Christ Inao Oulai.
